The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has announced a protest in Mumbai on October 2, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has also challenged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over restrictions surrounding the planned demonstration at Shivaji Park.
The protest is scheduled for Gandhi Jayanti and is part of a wider campaign that CJP says will extend to several parts of the country.
CJP Demands Resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Dipke has demanded the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar and called for greater transparency in the functioning and appointment of the Election Commission. The group has also raised objections to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
CJP has called for the 2025 electoral roll to be frozen and for safeguards to ensure that eligible voters are not wrongly excluded. These claims and demands come amid a wider political debate over electoral-roll revisions and the Election Commission’s procedures. The Election Commission has maintained that its decisions, including those concerning SIR, were taken according to the applicable process.
Dipke Challenges Devendra Fadnavis
Dipke has questioned the decision not to grant permission for the proposed protest at Shivaji Park. He argued that if political rallies can be held at the venue, protesters should also be able to gather there.
Reports said Mumbai Police had not granted permission for the October 2 demonstration. Dipke nevertheless indicated that the CJP planned to proceed with its agitation and said he was prepared to face arrest if authorities took action.
Protest Planned as Part of Wider Campaign
The Mumbai demonstration is being presented as the beginning of a broader CJP campaign. According to Dipke, protests are planned in several states before a proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi later in October.
The CJP has also maintained that its campaign is separate from the Opposition parties’ planned action against the Election Commission.
Meanwhile, other political groups have announced separate protests against the Election Commission in Mumbai, including a planned march by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and Shiv Sena (UBT) on October 4.
Why the Protest Matters
The October 2 agitation comes amid continuing political disagreements over electoral-roll revisions, voter deletions and the functioning of the Election Commission. While opposition groups and activists have raised concerns over the process, the Election Commission has defended its procedures.
The CJP protest therefore adds another layer to the ongoing debate over electoral transparency, voter registration and the independence of election authorities.